Charlie Vein, AE2S Cofounder & President, Announces Retirement
With a great amount of gratitude for his 30 years of leadership, AE2S announces the retirement of one of the consulting firm’s founders, Charlie Vein. He cofounded AE2S 30 years ago, in October 1991. True to his nature, the hardworking past President of AE2S would prefer not to call it “retirement.”
“I would rather think of this as the commencement of the next stage of my life. I am very much looking forward to spending more time with my wife Leeza, our daughters, and grandchildren,” says Vein. “My faith has always been an important part of me and I’m anxious to devote more time to a number of Christian ministries.” The commencement of the next stage of his life begins on Sunday, May 16.
Over his 45-year career, Vein mastered the art of forging meaningful relationships. Whether with clients or staff, state and federal agencies, legislators, or local politicians, Charlie made personal connections that benefited drinking water projects across the region.
“I have always believed that it is AE2S’ role to make our clients successful,” Vein says. “Over the course of my engineering career, I have endeavored to be a trusted professional who provides real value to our clients. The relationships I formed with people bring me the most satisfaction.”
Vein dedicated his engineering career to improving drinking water quantity and quality for residents across North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, and beyond. Some of his highlights include serving as the project manager for the modernization of the City of Grand Forks Water Treatment Plant in 1984. He also led the effort in rebuilding the water treatment system after the historic flood of 1997 in Grand Forks, as well as the City’s subsequent recovery efforts.
During the height of the Bakken oil boom in western North Dakota, Vein invested considerable time working to find solutions to the problem of insufficient water supplies. He helped coordinate the infrastructure needs for the City of Williston, which more than doubled in population between 2010 and 2020. He was also instrumental in the creation of the Western Area Water Supply Authority through legislation in 2011.
In addition, Vein lists Ransom Sargent Water Users, Langdon Rural Water District, Grand Forks Traill Water District, and the Tri-County Water Treatment Plant as the career highlights of his rural water projects in North Dakota. As the first plant he designed, the Tri-County Water Treatment Plant is particularly special. Vein was also instrumental in the development of the Grand Forks Traill Water District’s Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Plant.
“Charlie is a wonderful mentor who went into the engineering field to improve people’s lives by improving their drinking water. I can say without a doubt, Charlie made a difference in the lives of thousands and thousands of people – from the residents of large and small communities across the eight states where AE2S has offices to the people he’s helped through his charitable work,” says Grant Meyer, AE2S CEO. “The values AE2S promotes as a firm are the values that Charlie lives every day. The legacy he leaves at AE2S is truly awe-inspiring. Charlie’s legacy is a foundation of core values, relationships, and commitment to client success that will continue to guide the leadership of AE2S for the next generation.”
AE2S was founded in Grand Forks in 1991 and now has 23 offices in eight states. Vein was heavily involved in the development of the offices in Grand Forks and Williston, North Dakota; Maple Grove, Minnesota; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Lehi, Utah.
Vein received a number of awards and accolades from industry water organizations over the years. Some highlights include:
• 1997 Environmental Achievement Award, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• 2006 Kenneth J. Miller Founder’s Award, American Water Works Association
• 2007 George Warren Fuller Award, American Water Works Association
• 2013 Water Wheel Award, North Dakota Water Users Association
• 2020 Friend of Rural Water Award, North Dakota Rural Water Systems Association
Throughout his career, Vein volunteered with the American Water Works Association, North Dakota Water Users Association, UND Civil Engineering Department Advisory Board, UND Men’s Track and Field Committee, AE2S Good Samaritan Fund, Vessel Christian Foundation, Emmaus Bible College Advisory Council, Oasis Twin Cities, and International Discipleship Ministries.
ABOUT AE2S
AE2S is an employee-owned engineering consulting firm that specializes in water, wastewater, water resources, rural water, civil engineering, surveying, mapping, GIS, structural engineering, electrical engineering, instrumentation and controls, communications, and financial services. AE2S has offices located in Lake Havasu and Buckeye, Arizona; Denver and Dillon, Colorado; Maple Grove and Lake of the Woods, Minnesota; Billings, Great Falls, Kalispell, and Bozeman, Montana; Bismarck, Dickinson, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, and Williston, North Dakota; Spearfish, Rapid City, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Lehi, Utah; and Madison, Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.ae2s.com or AE2S on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.